Under the Virginia criminal code, theft or vandalizing a political sign is considered petit larceny and is categorized as a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
It has been reported to the Mirror that last weekend, one of Jacqueline “Jackie” Chatmon’s Old Cape Charles Road political road signs mysteriously vanished. The race for District One Supervisor is hotly contested, but there are indications that things are becoming unsavory.
Remnants of Chatmon’s sign after being vandalized (Mirror Photo)
I noticed that the sign was missing. I met the candidate at Steve Fox’s home last week and she certainly doesn’t deserve this.
Could be it was there without permission. Someone put one of her signs on my property without my permission.
I agree that no one should deface or steal campaign signs, but I believe candidates shouldn’t break the law either. Chatmon has placed her campaign signs in the VDOT right of way all over District 1, an act that she knows full well is illegal. Unfortunately, her approach smacks of the same kind of high-handedness and self-entitlement that have characterized her term as the chairman of the county Planning Commission. If Chatmon doesn’t care if she breaks the law as a candidate, why would we expect anything different if she were elected? And why doesn’t VDOT rip up these illegal signs so regular citizens aren’t tempted to take the law into their own hands?
Section 33.2-1224, Code of Virginia, prohibits signs and advertisements within the limits of the highway. VDOT is authorized to remove any sign that is in violation of state code, especially if it interferes with roadside maintenance or presents a safety hazard to motorists.
In addition, the agency can levy a $100 civil penalty for each sign violation
Is this the same candidate who put her signs up before the legal date and had to take them all down? And now she’s putting up signs in the highway right of way? Says all I need to know about the candidate.
Hey, Einstein, why don’t you call VDOT before accusing people of vandalism? The signs must be kept out of the Right of Way or they will be removed by VDOT. That photo looks like a post is in the ROW. That’s not called VANDALISM – it’s called THE LAW.
Note: VDOT, nor the town or county removed the sign. There are signs, political, realtor and whatever all over the right of way. VDOT policy, as well as the town, is generally to allow political speech until one week past the election. If the sign is causing a problem, or has had complaints, VDOT and/or the town alerts the owner to remove it. If no action is taken, VDOT will then remove it- signed, W. Einstein
•No signs are permitted in a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) right of way or within five feet of the right of way. Signs placed in the right-of-way are subject to confiscation and disposal by authorized personnel.
From the VDOT ROW manual. No policies on ‘ a week after the election’ seeing as how liability does not recognize that time frame either.
It’s called a sight hazard.
Sorry, WEinstein. I think the ‘policies’ you speak of are of the “Moscow is far far away, and the winters are cold” type……Laws more honored in the breach, eh whot?
Note: You are welcome to contact the Town of Cape Charles, VDOT or the County. They normally do not mess with political signs until after the election. In this case, we checked and the sign was not taken down by a gov. entity. It is October, it could possibly have been removed by a ghost of some sort.
Yeah, the ghosts of racists past…
Your saying you checked is not proof. FAKE NEWS
Wayne, “normally not messing with” is in no way shape or form a Regulation. Presume a VDOT employee from elsewhere was tasked with checking out the sidewalk obstructions(also illegal) in front of the hardware store, saw them and took them down.
He was following VDOT POLICY.
Ergo, signs are down.
Now, if it turns out that it’s just CC folk acting out, I will also in no way shape or form be surprised. Lotta anger and fury down your way.
And as to Mr. Cornweller’s comment, why are Democrat strongholds such cesspools of racism and anger?
Note: Mike, I get you, but in most cases, if you can read the sign from your car, 97% of the time it is in the VDOT right of way (even if someone thinks it’s private property, most of the time it’s in the easement). Off the record, as far as election signs, most officials will tell you they ‘don’t want to get in the middle of that mess!’, and kind of turn a blind eye, just until the election is over. And as always, VDOT is overworked, severely under funded and under staffed; the last thing they want is to be the sign police.
Wayne, I totally get it. But I’d rather ascribe the action to an overworked, under supervised DOT employee than cast aspersions of racism.
Just ask Paulie……………I’m all about the love, baby!!!!!